When you mention wine, most people think of a drink with friends over dinner.
For Dawn Walker, however, science is the name of the game.
“I love drinking wine, of course, but was always passionate about the science behind it,” she said.
“It can be quite involved so I was intrigued in that sense. And, I think something else that has followed through, which might be from my previous career, is the creative flexibility within it.
“I’m looking at these beautiful grapes growing and I’m thinking, ‘what am I going to do this year?’ It’s really exciting because, in a way, you kind of have an open book.
“And then, of course, drinking it at the end is quite fulfilling, as well as sharing your process with others’
In 2019, Ms Walker arrived in Stanthorpe from Sydney where a 15-year career in television advertising preceded a stint with P&O Cruises.
“I decided to take a break and change paths,” she said. “Wine was what it was going to be and what it has turned out to be.”
Ms Walker poured herself into a Bachelor of Wine Science and Agricultural Science through the University of Southern Queensland, determined to learn more about creating the perfect drop.
She is now a semester away from becoming a qualified winemaker and viticulturist.
“The wine science degree is a great foundation for anyone wanting to move into the industry,” Ms Walker said.
“There’s plenty of interesting theory at the start, then you get to come down to the Granite Belt and take part in one of the residential schools down here.
“You have the opportunity to work alongside people with a wealth of knowledge and learn about their philosophies and passions.
“It’s just a really nice experience and, being a practical person, when you do it for real, it all makes sense.”
It was during one of the residential schools that Ms Walker was introduced to the team at Ridgemill Estate, an award-winning boutique winery in the Stanthorpe region.
“The chief winemaker, Peter McGlashan, was looking for a wine making assistant and I had my name put forward for the role,” Ms Walker said.
“When I was offered the job, my partner and I looked for a property down here to purchase as really, this was our dream.
“Working at Ridgemill has been great. There’s always something new happening and no vintage is the same.”
Alongside her work at Ridgemill Estate, Ms Walker also produces wines from her own vineyard, soon to be released under the new brand name Rokkwell.
Under vine they have Nebbiolo, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and will add Nero d’Avola and Arneis later this year.
“This vintage, I’m mostly excited about the Nebbiolo and Fumé Blanc we’ve made,” Ms Walker said.
The “grand dream” is to create a boutique winery with cabin accommodation among the vineyards. “It’s all ticking away nicely. It’s all coming together and it’s good.”
Last year, one of Ms Walker’s first wines won a silver award at The Australian Small Winemakers’ Show in Stanthorpe.
Ms Walker said she relished each stage of the winemaking process.
“It’s a journey right from the beginning.
I thoroughly enjoy the viticultural aspect, as well as the creative component of winemaking. Every vintage is a little bit different, which keeps it exciting.”
